07-23-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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IICOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Council to raise salaries. He stated that state law gives the Council the right to raise or lower police and fire salaries; however, the Council does not have the right of raising the salaries of other employees. He indicated that the Council must take into consideration the fact of where the money would be coming from. He indicated that the budget increase is 1.4 million dollars and the salaries were only a part of that. He stated that an exact figure is not known at the present time and that the increase in the tax revenues would be approximately $400,000. He also indicated that the Council did not like the $200 increase; however, it was the best that could be done under the circumstances. He pointed out that, last year, the policemen and firemen received adequate wages from the Council. Councilman Parent indicated that the decision to give a raise of $200 was not made by the Council. He stated that he would like to be able to give more than the $200, and he added that he hoped the city would not lose good employees because of the low increase. He was hopeful that, next year, the city would be able to give its employees more. Councilman Szymkowiak indicated that he had been against disparity between the policemen and firemen for as long as he ha been on the Council. He recommended that the firemen go on a 56 -hour work week, and he concluded that, if the money was available, a higher increase would be given. Chairman Newburn indicated that he knew the $200 increase was not sufficient for the working man. He felt a serious look should be given the top echelon. He did not agree that a man with a substantial salary should be given more than the blue collar worker. He felt some money was not being allocated properly. Councilman Miller.made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Council President Nemeth. The motion carried. (Chairman Newburn opposed.) II nRnTNAWR AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM SALARIES AND WAGES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE YEAR 1974. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mayor Miller made the presentation for the ordinance. He stated that he did not believe that any of the raises for 1974 for the employees were adequate. He indicated that the councilmen could have had the opportunity to learn about the raises if they had attended the caucus held for that reason. He indicated that the proposed ordinance included 35 additional employees over the 1973 budget; however, there are only 1,488 persons employed, less than in the past. He stated that, on July 1, 1974, the city would lose 58 employees from the Emergency Employment Program. He stated that he would like to make an explana- tion as far as each increase was concerned. He stated that the City Clerk would explain the increa for her employees. He indicated that the city's recommendation was made about four weeks ago after the County Council rejected the option tax. He indicated that, with the tax, it was estimated South Bend would receive $790,000 additional money to operate for 1974. Without the tax, it was estimated South Bend would receive $300,000 to $350,000 from assessed valuation increases. He did not know if that figure was correct. He mentioned that a budget had been presented to him that amounted to a three and one -half million dollar increase, and he stated that he did not ask the department heads to determine which programs have priorities. He stated that it was the Council's duty to do that. He indicated that the budget must be cut from 1.4 million dollars to between $700,000 and $750,000. He stated that it was not fair to ask the citizens to pay the option tax and not benefit from it. Mayor Miller then proceeded to explain some of the salary increases. He indicated that the Chief Deputy City Attorney's salary was being increased $1,000'because of the amount of time involved in annexation cases. He explained that, last year, the salaries of the cabinet officials were cut, and he was recommending that the Director of the Department of Human Resources receive $17,000 for the 1974 salary. He briefly talked about the need for a park naturalist at Rum Village Park at a salary of $8,750, and that-the salary for the Senior Citizens Director should only reflect a $200 increase. Because of the new downtown mall, a foreman was pro- posed at $3,150. He further explained that the dog catcher position was needed in order to help solve the problem in the community and this was why the position was being retained. He indicated that there would be two positions at $3,500. He recommended that the position of General Foreman at $4.63 per hour at the Municipal Services Facility be deleted and the position of Maintenance Supervisor be established at an annual salary of $12,000. He mentioned that, in the Solid Waste Department, the engineer and foreman were in the revenue sharing budget and should be accepted full time by the city budget. He explained that the position of Meter Reader I was set at $2,883 for 1973 and there was a $200 increase. He indicated that this was a full -time position. He mentioned his secretary's proposed increase to $9,000 and indicated that the Legislative Assistant for the Council at $15,000 was a new position. He indicated that the increases were slight and, in July, the city would have employed around 1,400 employees. He explained that the budget of 1.4 million dollars was not cut to $700,000 because of many items needed; however, with the Council's recommen- dation, he was hopeful the budget could be cut. He explained that the Lilly Foundation was doing a study on fiscal management and South Bend was involved in the study. He indicated that one of the remarks made concerning the study was that it was wondered how a city could operate without knowing how much money would be available. Mayor Miller was apologetic because of the slight increase in the salaries. He indicated that, when the city had control over additional revenue, a cost of living increase would be given and would be made up for in 1974. He indicated that, last year, 532% was recommended because of the guidelines set by the president. He explained that, today the guidelines were the same; however, the city did not have the money to follow those guidelines. He commended the Council on cutting certain programs in order to give a raise in 1974. He stated that, if the General Assembly did not make some changes, there would be less money in 1974 than at present. He explained that the city's tax rate is frozen for the next four years and the only increase available is the assessed valuation of the community. He did not think all the revenue sharing funds should be used for increases in salaries because at some future time the taxpayer would have to pick that up. Regarding the Civic Center, he explained that, if the city did not pay for it out of revenue sharing money, the contributions would have to be received in other ways. He stated that the taxpayers are benefiting because revenue sharing money was being used. He indicated that the Council has cooperated 100% and the Controller's Office had done a fine job in the preparation of the salary figures. He also mentioned that he was disappointed with the increases; however, the city must live by its state legislation. He indicated that he would go along with whatever changes the Council proposed. Mr. Michael Lawrence, representing the Teamsters Local 364, indicated that the union represented 350 members employed by eight bureaus of the City of South Bend and the Park Department. He indicated that the union's agreement expired May 30, 1973, and agreement was reached on all issues except wages. He indicated that the membership has rejected the $200 increase and proposed-that the matter be submitted to arbitration, which proposal was refused. He quoted portions of articles appearing recently in the South Bend Tribune relating to the cost of living and increases. On